Easy Filipino Dishes

This article brings traditional Filipino food to your kitchen without the hassle. From easy Filipino dishes, simple Filipino recipes, to quick Filipino dinner ideas. In this list of Easy Filipino Dishes, you’ll find step-by-step recipes perfect for beginners and busy home cooks! The steps are straightforward and intuitive. Whether you are a Filipino, a fan of the cuisine or looking for bold comforting meals. This list will turn you into a pro in no time.

Let’s explore this list of Filipino dishes that’ll take you just less than 30 minutes to make. Quick, tasty, and with ingredients that you can easily find in the store.

1. Lumpia

Lumpia is one of the easiest Filipino foods to make. A mix of any ingredients, from ground pork, chicken, tuna, or seafood, with any type of colorful vegetables you like as the filling, wrapped up in a big lumpia wrapper, then fried into a beautiful golden bar. A perfect recipe for beginners and home cooks. The steps are straightforward with foolproof Yummy results. Plus, you can even make a batch, freeze them then fry when needed. It’s a go-to quick meal with a side of rice and sauce, or prepare this as a savory afternoon snack, or appetizer at parties.

• Cooking Time : 25 minutes 
• Makes : 25 – 30 rolls

Check out our other quick and easy Lumpia Recipes : 

2. Lugaw

A dependable breakfast many Filipinos go back to. Lugaw is simple but flavorful rice porridge that needs only a few basic ingredients like rice, water or broth, garlic, and ginger, sometimes adding pieces of meat like chicken or seafood. A simple dish where you throw all the ingredients in, occasionally stirring until it reaches the right creamy consistency. Enjoy this as is or with an overload of toppings like green onions, boiled eggs, fried garlic, sauteed meats, chicharon, or fried fish, A low cost one pot dish that’s as beginner friendly as it gets.

• Cooking Time : 30 minutes 
• Makes : 8 big bowls

3. Ginataang Dishes

Ginataang dishes are one of the easiest and most versatile Filipino dishes you’ll find. The recipe relies on coconut milk and or cream making this the base ingredient. While the coconut milk / cream is naturally nutty and subtly sweet. What makes the dish really bold is the added seasonings and main ‘meat’. Whether you’re making the savory Ginataang Gulay ( vegetables sometimes adding meat and seafood in it ) or Ginataang desserts. The process of cooking this dish is straightforward. Saute the meats, and or vegetables, or fruits, or rice with the seasonings before pouring in the coconut milk, simmering it all together until everything is tender. It’s another one pot dish that requires minimal preparation, making it great for quick but still hearty and filling meals.

Check out our other quick and easy Ginataang Recipes : 

4. Salpicao

Salpiaco is an easy-to-do Filipino beef dish that uses just a few ingredients you often have in the pantry or fridge-like beef, butter, garlic, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and worcestershire sauce, sometimes adding mushrooms into the mix. The cooking process is quick; from marinating the beef briefly, sauteing these for a few minutes on each side just until it changes in color, taking these out to simmer the base garlic sauce until thick, then tossing the beef over just until it’s fully coated in the sauce. The ideal dish for busy weeknights or when you want a dish that packs a punch without any fuss.

• Cooking Time : 15 minutes 
• Makes : 3 servings

5. Okoy

This mixed vegetable fried Filipino pancake or “Okoy” is a deliciously colorfully crisp Filipino snack that has an array of vegetables like sweet potatoes or squash, carrots, green beans, onions, and scallions, or depending on what you prefer. The grated or sliced vegetables are then dipped in a flour batter. Mixed then poured onto a hot oiled pan to form savory pancakes. Take out once these look crisp and golden. This dish doesn’t require complex technique or a long cooking process. It’s the ideal quick snack anyone can make at home.

• Cooking Time : 20 minutes 
• Makes : 12 fritters

6. Pompano

Pompano is a delicate, naturally flavorful, and slightly sweet fish that requires minimal preparation and seasoning to taste delicious. It can be baked, steamed, or fried. Usually involving basic ingredients like garlic, onions, soy sauce, or any seasoning you’ll often have readily available at home. This fish’s texture hold up quite well and is ideal for healthy and fast meals.

Check out our other quick and easy Pompano Recipes : 

7. Tortang Talong

Tortang Talong is a basic Filipino dish that requires just 5 ingredients – an eggplant, eggs, basic seasonings like salt and pepper, and oil for frying. The preparation method is quick: simply grill or broil the eggplant until charred, peel the skin, flatten, season with salt and pepper, then dip it in eggs before frying until it reaches a golden brown color on both sides. It;s a budget friendly meal that doesn’t need advanced cooking skills. Perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

• Cooking Time : 20 minutes 
• Makes : 3 servings

8. Sisig

An easy to do Filipino dish that can be made with either pork or a variety of meats from fish, chicken, or even canned meats to suit your budget. Sisig is a simple dish that might not need any introduction to those familiar with Filipino cuisine. Your choice of meat sauteed with aromatics, calamansi, soy sauce, and chillies. Topped with mayonnaise, more chillies, and a raw egg served over a sizzling plate. This effortless but bold looking and tasting dish is quick to make, perfect for sharing, and can be enjoyed any time of the day.

Check out our other quick and easy Sisig Recipes : 

9. Picadillo

A traditional dish that uses simple everyday ingredients like ground meat, aromatics, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, peas, raisins, peas, and some salt and pepper to taste. Simmered in tomato sauce until glistening and covered with the sauce. An effortless dish, Picadillo can be made with just one pan, under 30 minutes, and is ideal for busy nights or when you want a main dish that’s quick to prepare but is rich and comforting in flavor.

• Cooking Time : 24 minutes 
• Makes : 5 servings

10. Pork Steak

Another Filipino dish that just needs 7 ingredients or less to make. Pork Steak uses basic ingredients like Pork Chops, marinated in soy sauce, calamansi juice, oyster sauce, and a bit of pepper and brown sugar to help caramelize the pork once seared. The steps are as simple as they come. Marinade, pan-fry, then simmer back with the marinade and some onions until tender and flavorful before topping with freshly cut onion rings before serving. 

* Note : While some do marinade this for an hour for more flavor, you can just as easily marinade it overnight to cook the next day. Also do note that the thinner the pork slices the quicker it cooks.

• Cooking Time : 20 minutes 
• Makes : 8 servings

11. Burger Steak Recipe with Mushroom Sauce

A slight copycat recipe to the popular Jollibee Burger Steak Recipe with Mushroom Sauce. This dish combines familiar ingredients such as ground beef, onions, pepper, soy sauce breadcrumbs, and an egg to make the patty. Sometimes frozen to make sure it retains its shape before being cooked in a pan until both slides have browned. Cooking the mushroom sauce separately by tossing in all the ingredients and bringing this to a boil, adding a slurry as thickener, simmering once more just until it reduces slightly before adding the patties back. This Filipino-style burger is fuss free, great as a lunch or dinner meal, and will surely bring a smile to anyone who takes a bite.

* Note : You can freeze the burgers overnight to cook the next day. If you find the patty doesn’t need to be frozen and is stable enough. You can cook these right away.

• Cooking Time : 28 minutes 
• Makes : 10 medium sized patties

12. Sarciado

 A practical and delicious way to enjoy leftovers. Sarciado is a tomato and egg based dish that often uses fried fishes, leftover fishes or cooked meats into a new meal. Using pre-cooked meats saves time and effort in preparation. All you need to do is make a sauce base of tomatoes, water or broth, garlic, and onions, bringing this into a simmer before pouring in a beaten egg. Place in the fried fish or meat. Cover to give the meat some time to absorb the sauce. Then serve with a good amount of rice on the side.

Check out our other quick and easy Sarciado Recipes : 

13. Sinangag

Another way to turn leftovers into something delicious. Sinangag or translated into “Garlic Fried Rice” uses cold overnight / leftover rice, garlic, oil, and salt. Go the simpler route or the maximalist way by adding a mix of vegetables like tomatoes, mushrooms, corn, carrots, potatoes, radishes, and any other veggies, and sauteing it with cured meats like hot dogs, ham, tocino, or whatever leftover meats you have in the fridge. A one-pan method that’s both practical and delicious.

• Cooking Time : 15 minutes 
• Makes : 4 servings

14. Filipino Carbonara

Filipino Carbonara is an easy to do dish with accessible ingredients like pasta, canned tuna, water, cream of mushroom, margarine, aromatics, a can of mushrooms, all purpose cream, evaporated milk, and A LOT of cheese, as much as you like. Carbonara in the Filipino  culinary scene is quite different from true Italian spaghetti carbonara. It’s creamy because of its base sauce, being undemanding due to just tossing all the ingredients in one pot then, and the other pot boiling the pasta until al dente. Rich, creamy, and perfect for feeding the family.

• Cooking Time : 18 minutes 
• Cook the pasta in another pot while making the sauce to reduce cooking time, from 27 – 30 minutes into 18 minutes.
• Makes : Make 5 – 7 servings

15. Spaghetti

Filipino Spaghetti brings the nostalgia back every time you take a bite. From birthday celebrations when you were a kid to graduation parties and more. If you miss the taste but have a hard time finding a Jollibee near you, or simply don’t want to get out of the house due to the bad weather then this recipe is for you. A homage to savory Italian red sauce pasta. Filipino spaghetti is slightly sweeter with the addition of hotdogs in the mix. Perfect for beginners or busy cooks and beloved by kids and adults alike. This fun flavorful fish is great as a casual everyday meal or double the recipe to serve it at special occasions.

• Cooking Time : 30 minutes 
• Cook the pasta in another pot while making the sauce to reduce cooking time.
• Makes : Make 7 – 9 servings

16. Pancit Canton

Pancit Canton is a quick Filipino egg noodle dish that uses simple ingredients like meat-usually pork or shrimp, a mix of vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, cabbage, peas, and aromatics, broth, with pancit canton noodles. A colorful dish with minimal prep and fast cooking time. This dish is convenient, versatile and easy to do. Great as  an everyday lunch or dinner option or to bring at family gatherings.

• Cooking Time : 25 minutes 
• Makes : Make 5 – 7 servings

17. Pancit Sotanghon

Another noodle dish that uses almost similar ingredients but made with vermicelli noodles that is soaked in warm water while the base sauce is being prepared. Using chicken as its main meat, sauteed with aromatics-garlic and onions, then any type of vegetables you have on hand, and seasonings such as oyster sauce and soy sauce to bring in the flavor. Everything is then simmered in water or broth before adding the noodles in. Cooking just until the noodles have softened and sucked up most of the sauce turns the same shade. Pancit Sotanghon light flavorful dish is fast to prepare and as effortless as it gets.

• Cooking Time : 27 minutes 
• Makes : Make 5 – 7 servings

18. Sinigang

Sinigang is not only a traditional Filipino dish, it’s also a dish many households go back to during the colder months, when you feel down, and especially when you’re in a rush for time. Using simple fresh ingredients like meat or seafood, an array of vegetables that changes depending on how your family makes them, or on your preference. Simmered in a tamarind-based, sinigang powder mix, or natural sour fruit ( kamias, guava, calamansi, green mangoes, or bilimbi ) mix. It’s an uncomplicated recipe that just tosses everything in one pot with the sinigang seasoning. Simmering until the meat and vegetables are tender. This recipe is a beloved staple in Filipino kitchens.

Check out our other quick and easy Sinigang Recipes : 

19. Suam na Mais

“Suam na Mais” or “Ginisang Mais” is the Filipino version of the American corn soup. The biggest difference is that it’s not as thick and makes use of the local corn which is sweet and naturally creamy, it’s also flavored differently since the corn is sauteed in aromatics such as garlic, onions, and ginger. Then simmered in a broth, with leafy greens ( such as malunggay, spinach, taro leaves, or chili leaves ), some add pork bits or shrimp for extra protein. It;s straightforward cooking process that results in a quick, comforting, flavorful soup that’s great as a hearty everyday meal.

• Cooking Time : 25 minutes 
• Makes : Make 6 big bowls

20. Salted Egg

Salted Egg recipes are a Filipino favorite. Salted eggs themselves are made with 2 ingredients, just eggs and salt, preserved in either a salt solution or salted clay for a number of weeks before it develops into a delicacy that many enjoy as is, added in salads, over various Italian dishes both in savory and sweet  recipes. A flavorful and convenient treat that’s made with minimal effort and lasts a long time, and can transform any dish.

Check out our other quick and easy Salted Egg Recipes : 

21. Kinilaw

A dish that requires no cooking, just fresh cleaned raw fish. Kinilaw uses chopped tuna, tanigue, anchovies, or sometimes any fish available, mixed in with chillies, ginger, onions, garlic, with salt and pepper to taste. Then “cooked” using the acidity from calamansi or any citrus fruit with the addition of vinegar. Balancing the taste with a bit of sugar at the end.refrigerated until the fishes change in color and turns opaque. This quick refreshing dish is perfect for hot summer days or as an appetizer.

• Cooking Time : 10 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes or less in the fridge.
• Makes : 4 servings

22. Gising Gising

Gising Gising , or when literally translated “Wake up-Wake up “ is given its name due to the amount of spice this dish has. It will truly awaken all your senses at first spoonful. Using simple ingredients such as winged beans or green beans, your choice of ground meat, garlic, ginger, prawns, a good amount of green and red chillies, chili sauce, shrimp paste and some coconut milk to help simmer everything together. This one-pan dish is both budget-friendly and flavorful.

• Cooking Time : 25 minutes
• Makes : 4 servings

23. Adobo

A true Filipino Classic. Adobo is one of the most traditional and versatile recipes found in Filipino cuisine. It uses basic pantry staples like soy sauce, pepper, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and your choice of meat like pork, chicken, seafood, or even tofu. The process of cooking this boldly savory dish is simple- marinate the meat, then simmer everything in one pot until the meat and vegetables are tender. A dish that states even better the next day. It’s a reliable recipe that’s also beginner friendly.

Check out our other quick and easy Adobo Recipes : 

24. Palitaw

Aside from the list of savory goods. There are also quick to do traditional Filipino snacks you can make just as quickly. Palitaw is a glutinous flattened rice cake that’s boiled in water until it ‘floats’ or in Tagalog “litaw”. Then simmered for a short time in a coconut based sauce made with coconut milk, grated coconut, and sugar. Topped with sesame seeds for a nice crunchy texture. A sweet chewy treat with a variety of versions like the ones below.

Check out our other quick and easy Palitaw Recipes : 

25. Mango Graham

A summer favorite that no kid or adult can resist. Mango Graham is a no-bake dessert that uses 5 ingredients; mangoes, graham crackers, all purpose cream, condensed milk, and evaporated milk. The process is quick and easy, dip the graham crackers in evaporated milk before you layer each time. Layer everything together: graham, whipped cream, then mangoes, repeatedly until you have the container covered. Top with more mangoes at the end before refrigerating. A fast and delicious dessert with creamy fruity layers. This crowd pleaser is incredibly easy to prepare and is a delight to the tastebuds.

• Cooking Time : 15 minutes ( but 4 hours to overnight in the fridge to make sure it stabilizes )
• Makes : 20 servings

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